The Premier League’s Boxing Day fixture list isn’t just one of the highlights of the festive season, it’s one of the highlights of the entire football calendar. With all 20 teams in action across the day, including three lives games, it is a fantastic occasion for a football fan.
This year is no exception, with fourth placed West Ham kicking off the day in a London derby at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. There are plenty more games over the course of the day, and with another full fixture list to come on Sunday, this is a huge weekend for the Premier League. Here we have previews of four big Boxing Day games, including betting tips on each and an accumulator which will hopefully keep you interested right up until the final game.
Friday 26th December 2014
Chelsea v West Ham (12:45) – both teams to score (Evens with Coral)
This big game really sets the tone for the day to come, with surprise package West Ham travelling to Chelsea. The Hammers had a happy Christmas sitting in the top four, and they’re on course for an unforgettable season as things stand. It’s hard to say where they’ll end up, but they have a tough game here against title favourites Chelsea.
The Blues come into the match as league leaders, so West Ham know this is their toughest test of the season. They have beaten Manchester City already this season, so this isn’t an easy game for Chelsea by any stretch of the imagination. Sam Allardyce said after that game that City were easier to play against than Chelsea, so he’s obviously expecting a tough afternoon here. The Blues warmed up for this one with a trip to Stoke last Monday, and they’ll face a similarly physical battle against a strong West Ham side. West Ham can mix their play, and it’s that threat which can worry Chelsea here. Both teams to score is our tip in Friday’s early kick off.
Crystal Palace v Southampton (15:00) – Southampton to win (23/20 with BetVictor)
Southampton head to Crystal Palace after ending a run of five consecutive defeats last week with a 3-0 victory over Everton, and now they head to Palace looking to get back to their early season form. With the Saints sitting in fifth in the table, they’re still pushing for the top four as things stand, although they’re unlikely to be that high come May. But, given their recent setbacks, another win would be huge for Southampton here.
Palace need a win as well, as their defeat last weekend has left them just above the relegation zone on goal difference. Like QPR, they need to start producing some good home form if they’re going to stay up. They’ve managed just three wins out of 17, and with no wins in their last five games, things are starting to look bleak for Palace. It’s hard to see it getting much better here, given how well Southampton played at Everton last Saturday. The Saints to win here is our tip, and they’re well priced at above evens with most bookies to claim the three points.
Man United v Newcastle (15:00) – Over 2.5 goals (3/5 with BetVictor)
This is the live game at 3pm, with Manchester United looking to get back to winning ways after their disappointing draw at Aston Villa. Their recent unbeaten run has had many people talking about a title challenge, including their manager. Like he said at the weekend, they need to win these kinds of games if they are going to challenge City and Chelsea. Since they’re seven points behind City and 10 adrift of the leaders Chelsea, they need to make up that ground soon if they’re going to be in with any chance of mounting a late challenge.
Luckily for them, they face a Newcastle side who have lost their last three games, although they will be buoyed by memories of their 1-0 triumph at Old Trafford last season. Teams are finding things more difficult at United this term, and it’s hard to see Newcastle pulling off another big result. Despite their recent blip, they have been in good scoring form in the last few months, and they can certainly trouble this United defence. Look at over 2.5 goals here, with the Red Devils likely to go with another attacking line up, leaving their defence vulnerable.
Arsenal v QPR (17:30) – Arsenal to win and BTTS (8/5 with BetVictor)
The final game of the day sees QPR make the short trip across London to Arsenal, and you have to wonder if they’ll have the same travel sickness after that short trip that has blighted them all season. The R’s have lost every away game so far this term, with all 17 of their points coming at Loftus Road. They simply can’t seem to get near teams on the road, and it’s difficult to see them coming to the Emirates and picking up anything, even against an out of form Arsenal side.
Arsenal’s defensive frailties were there for all to see last week as they let in a late goal to draw 2-2 at Anfield. Their defending from that set piece at the end was horrible, and their problems showed as they toiled against a Liverpool side who were in awful form. If they can’t fix those problems at the back, making the top four will surely be beyond them. Their problems shouldn’t affect them here, as we’ve already pointed out how bad QPR’s away record is. They should have no problems against the struggling west Londoners, although it’s difficult to see Arsenal keeping a clean sheet. Back Arsenal to win and both teams to score here for a tidy profit.
Those are our four tips for this Friday’s games, and there isn’t as much value there as there has been in recent weeks. If you’re looking for slightly longer odds, the combined fourfold from these four tips comes to 16/1 with BetVictor, which is something worth looking at to feast upon on Boxing Day along with your leftover Turkey.